Product guide
Canvas: free online image editor guide
Canvas by IgnLab 2.0 is a free, local-first 2D image editor that runs directly in a modern web browser. Use it to crop photos, draw, arrange layers, add editable text and vectors, and export locally. Optional accounts add cloud projects, share links, and live revision sync.
What is Canvas by IgnLab?
Canvas by IgnLab is a browser-based image editor for everyday 2D design and photo editing. It combines familiar desktop-style tools with a local-first workflow: the compositor, drawing engine, undo history, project storage, and image exports all run on the device.
Canvas is useful for quick photo crops, transparent PNG creation, social graphics, banners, image annotations, layered compositions, simple vector artwork, and editable text layouts. No account is required.
How to edit an image in Canvas
- Open or create a document. Choose Open or drag a file onto the workspace. Canvas recognizes PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, and editable
.igncanvasprojects. Images can also be pasted from the clipboard. - Edit with tools and layers. Draw, erase, select, crop, place another image as a layer, add text or vector shapes, and arrange content from the Layers panel.
- Refine the result. Use masks, transparency locking, blend modes, clipping, selection feathering, adjustment sliders, filters, smart snapping, numeric transforms, alignment, and on-canvas transform handles.
- Save, share, or export. Download a compact editable
.igncanvasproject, save a local recovery version, or export PNG, JPEG, or WebP at custom dimensions. Supported devices can share project and image files directly.
Canvas image-editing features
Raster editing
Brush, eraser, fill, gradient, crop, resize, grayscale, invert, sharpen, tonal levels, curves, and color adjustments.
Selections
Rectangle, ellipse, lasso, and magic-wand selections with replace, add, subtract, expand, contract, invert, and feather controls.
Layers and masks
Place images, search, drag to reorder, snap edges and centers, enter exact transforms, lock transparency, isolate, duplicate, group, align, merge, flatten, or export selected layers as transparent PNG, with professional blend modes, masks, shadows, and undo support.
Editable design
Text with wrapping, spacing, outlines, alignment, and typography controls, plus editable rectangles, ellipses, and Bézier paths.
Non-destructive adjustments
Stack adjustment layers above artwork to change brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, temperature, blur, and vignette settings.
Local and cloud workflow
Undo and redo, protected local autosave, five local versions, compact project files, native save-in-place, installation, and offline support. Optional accounts add a cloud library, read-only share links, and revision-synced collaboration.
Is Canvas a private image editor?
Canvas processes image pixels locally in the browser by default. Autosaved documents and local versions remain in browser storage on the current device, and exporting creates output locally. Project data is sent to the Canvas server only when a signed-in user explicitly saves a cloud project or joins a collaboration link.
Optional feedback sends the written message and page address, never artwork. Error and performance monitoring sends limited technical diagnostics and is disabled when the browser's Do Not Track preference is enabled. On desktop layouts, Canvas may request a dismissible sponsored placement from IgnLab AdMedia in reserved space at the top of the right sidebar; it scrolls naturally with that sidebar and records an impression when successfully shown. Artwork is never included in that request.
Canvas uses Google Analytics to measure aggregate product usage. Clearing browser site data can remove autosaves and local versions, so important work should also be saved as an .igncanvas project file.
Frequently asked questions
Canvas image editor FAQ
Is Canvas free to use?
Yes. Canvas is free to use and does not require signup.
Does Canvas upload my images?
Not by default. Image editing, autosave, local versions, and export run in your browser. Project data is uploaded only when you explicitly use optional cloud saving or collaboration. Canvas also uses Google Analytics for aggregate usage measurement.
Which image formats can Canvas open and export?
Canvas opens PNG, JPEG, WebP, and GIF images. It exports PNG, JPEG, and WebP, copies PNG output to the clipboard, and exports editable vector paths and shapes as SVG.
Does Canvas support layers and masks?
Yes. Canvas supports searchable and draggable layers, smart edge and center snapping, numeric transforms, transparency locking, isolation, selected-layer PNG export, professional blend modes, opacity, groups, clipping, raster masks, non-destructive drop shadows, and adjustment layers.
How do I crop an image?
Choose the Crop tool, drag over the area you want to keep, optionally choose an aspect ratio, and select Apply crop.
Can I save an editable project?
Yes. Choose File → Save project to download a compact editable .igncanvas file with compressed, tiled layer data. You can also keep up to five local recovery versions in the browser.
Can I share images and Canvas projects?
Yes. Where the browser and operating system support file sharing, Canvas can send an exported image or editable project through the device share sheet. An installed compatible PWA can also receive shared files. Otherwise, download or open the file manually.
Does Canvas work offline?
Canvas includes an installable progressive web app shell. After a supported browser caches the required files, the editor can open without a network connection.
Does Canvas have cloud collaboration?
Yes. Optional accounts support cloud projects and read-only links. Collaboration links synchronize complete project revisions after a short pause; when simultaneous edits conflict, Canvas loads the newest accepted server revision.